Method for marking a fairway

ABSTRACT

A method for marking a fairway. having a teeing area associated therewith, to enable a golfer to judge distance and accuracy of golf balls struck onto said fairway from the teeing area, said method consisting of marking distance indicators on the fairway in the form of a first set of lines that are spaced from the teeing area and are spaced apart, with each line being a substantially constant distance from the teeing area, and marking accuracy indicators on the fairway in the form of a second set of lines that extend outwardly from the teeing area and dare substantially normal to the teeing area.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for marking a fairway to enable golf players to assess the accuracy of their strokes.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Golf is one of the most popular past times in the western world. A consequence of the popularity of the game of golf has been the development of golf driving ranges where the golfer can practice and refine his skills.

[0003] Golf driving ranges are usually simple in layout. They typically have an area from which to tee off, a grassed area into which the balls are driven, fences to contain wayward shots, and distance markers in the form of signposts.

[0004] Current golf driving ranges have some inherent inadequacies to a golfer who wishes to hone his skills. Golf is a game that requires accuracy and skill, not simply power. The provisions available on current golf driving ranges for a golfer to judge his skill are minimal, typically consisting of the distance marker. These distance markers allow a golfer who is stood in line with them to judge the approximate distance he has hit the ball, but not the accuracy.

[0005] Most driving ranges have a single line of distance markers extending from the teeing area. Parallax error reduces their usefulness if the golfer is not in front of the distance markers. If the golfer angles his shot towards the distance markers, the increased distance travelled because of the angled shot similarly reduces the usefulness of the distance markers.

[0006] A further difficulty with existing distance markers is that they are usually spaced apart by 25 or 50 meters. However, the difference in the distance a golf ball travels between two adjacent clubs. such as a 2-iron and a 3-iron. is typically 10 meters.

[0007] Consequently, the large spacing between distance markers makes it difficult for a golfer to accurately judge the distance the ball travels when using a particular club, which is an important element of the game of golf. This problem is exacerbated by parallax error if the golfer is not in line with the distance markers

[0008] Further, existing golf driving ranges have no facility for a golfer to judge the accuracy of his strokes, particularly in the direction parallel to the teeing area.

[0009] Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”. will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0010] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise. the word fairway will be understood to include any open space, including a golf driving range or golf course.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0011] In accordance with a first aspect of this invention, there is provided a method for marking a fairway, having a teeing area associated therewith. to enable a golfer to judge distance and accuracy of golf balls struck onto said fairway from the teeing area, said method comprising the steps of:

[0012] marking distance indicating means on the fairway in the form of a first set of lines that are spaced from the teeing area and are spaced apart, with each line being a substantially constant distance from the teeing area; and

[0013] marking accuracy indicating means on the fairway in the form of a second set of lines that extend outwardly from the teeing area and are substantially normal to the teeing area

[0014] Preferably, said lines in lie first set of lines. are spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the typical difference between lengths of stroke or adjacent clubs.

[0015] Preferably. said lines in the first set of lines are spaced apart by a distance of approximately 10 meters.

[0016] Preferably, said lines in the second set of lines are spaced apart by the width of a typical fairway on a golf course.

[0017] Preferably, the method further comprises the step of marking obstacle-indicating means on the fairway.

[0018] Preferably, the obstacle-indicating means take the form of a first set of marks that are painted onto the fairway.

[0019] Preferably, the first set of marks represent the location of sand bunkers, bodies of water and rough terrain.

[0020] Preferably, said first set of marks is colour-coded according to the type of obstacle represented.

[0021] Preferably, the method further comprises the step of marking target-indicating means on the fairway.

[0022] Preferably, the target indicating means takes the form of a second set of marks that are painted onto the fairway.

[0023] Preferably. the second set of marks indicates the location of greens.

[0024] In accordance with a second aspect of this invention, there is provided in a fairway having a teeing area associated therewith, an improved set of markings on said fairway to enable a golfer to judge distance and accuracy of golf balls struck onto said fairway from said teeing area, comprising:

[0025] distance indicating means in the form of a first set of lines that are spaced from the teeing area and are spaced apart with each line being a substantially constant distance from the teeing area;

[0026] accuracy indicting means in the form of a second set of lines that extend outwardly from the teeing area and are substantially normal to the teeing area.

[0027] Preferably, said lines in the first set of lines are spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the typical difference between lengths of stroke of adjacent clubs.

[0028] Preferably. said lines in the first set of lines are spaced apart by a distance of approximately 10 meters.

[0029] Preferably. the lines in the second set of lines are spaced apart by the width of a typical fairway on a golf course (30 to 40 meters), or tailored to the actual golf course that is attached to the driving range.

[0030] Preferably, the markings further comprise obstacle-indicating means.

[0031] Preferably, the obstacle-indicating means comprise a first set of marks that are painted onto the fairway

[0032] Preferably, the first set of marks represent the location of sand bunkers, bodies of water and rough terrain.

[0033] Preferably, said first set of marks is colour-coded according to the type of obstacle represented.

[0034] Preferably. said markings further comprise target-indicating means.

[0035] Preferably, the target indicating means take the form of a second set of marks that are painted onto the fairway.

[0036] Preferably. the second set of marks indicates the location of greens.

[0037] In accordance with a third aspect of this invention, there is provided a method for marking a fairway, having a teeing area associated therewith, to enable a golfer to judge distance and accuracy of golf balls struck onto said fairway from the teeing area, comprising the step of marking distance indicating means on the fairway in the form of a first set of lines that are spaced from the teeing area and are spaced apart, with each line being a substantially constant distance from the teeing area.

[0038] In accordance with a fourth aspect of this invention. there is provided a method for marking a fairway, having a teeing area associated therewith, to enable a golfer to judge distance and accuracy of golf balls struck onto said fairway from the teeing area, comprising the step of marking accuracy indicating means on the fairway in the form of a second set of lines that extend outwardly from the teeing area and are substantially normal to the teeing area.

[0039] In accordance with a fifth aspect of this invention, there is provided a method for marking a fairway, having a teeing area associated therewith, to enable a golfer to judge distance and accuracy of golf balls struck onto said fairway from the teeing area, comprising the step of marking obstacle-indicating means on the fairway.

[0040] In accordance with a sixth aspect of this invention, there is provided a method for marking a fairway. having a teeing area associated therewith, to enable a golfer to judge distance and accuracy of golf balls struck onto said fairway from the teeing area, comprising the step of marking target-indicating means on the fairway.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] The invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to one embodiment thereof and the accompanying drawing, in which:

[0042]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of markings on a golf driving range in accordance with the embodiment of the invention.

BEST MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0043] The embodiment is directed towards a golf driving range fairway 10 having improved markings formed thereon. The markings comprise distance indicating lines 12 and accuracy indicating fines 14. The fairway 10 has an associated teeing area 16.

[0044] The distance indicating lines 12 are spaced from the teeing area 16 and are spaced apart, with each line 12 being a substantially constant distance from the teeing area 16.

[0045] The accuracy indicating lines 14 extend outwardly from the teeing area 16 and are substantially normal thereto. The accuracy indicating lines 14 are spaced apart by approximately the width of a typical fairway on a golf course, such as 30 m.

[0046] The golf driving range fairway 10 further comprises obstacle indicating marks 18 that are painted on the golf driving range fairway 10. The obstacle indicating marks 18 represent the location of sand bunkers 18A, bodies of water 18B and rough terrain 18C. The obstacle indicating marks 18 are colour-coded according to the type of obstacle. In the embodiment, the sand bunkers 18A are painted yellow. bodies of water 18B are painted blue. and areas of rough terrain 18C are painted red.

[0047] The golf driving range fairway 10 further comprises target indicating marks 20 that are painted onto the golf driving range fairway 10. The target indicating marks 20 represent the location of greens and are painted dark green.

[0048] In use, the golf driving range fairway 10 with the improved markings outlined above. provides a goiter (not shown) with a means that enables him to better judge the distance and accuracy of his shots.

[0049] The distance indicating marks 12 allow the golfer to gauge the distance of his shot reasonably accurately when hitting from anywhere in the teeing area 16. The marks 12 run substantially parallel to the teeing area 16 and hence there is no parallax error. In the preferred embodiment, the marks 12 are spaced apart a distance corresponding to the typical range difference of adjacent golf clubs, such as 10 meters. This allows the golfer to better judge the distance he achieves with each of his clubs

[0050] The accuracy indicating marks 14 are spaced a distance equivalent to the width of a typical golf course fairway. The golfer can use the lines to judge whether his shot was straight and would have made it onto the fairway. Or alternatively, if the golfer tears off next to an accuracy indicating mark he can imagine that his shot landed on the edge of the fairway. and try to hit the ball back towards the centre of the two lines, i.e. towards what would be the centre of the fairway.

[0051] Of further assistance are the obstacle indicating marks 18 and target indicating marks 20. These provide the golfer with a further means to hone his skills by representing obstacles and targets that one would typically find on a golf course such as sand bunker 18A, bodies of water 18B, rough terrain 18C and greens 20. In one embodiment, the obstacles are arranged according to the specific golf course that the driving range is provided at. 

The claims defining the invention are as follows:
 1. A method for marking a fairway, having a teeing area associated therewith, to enable a golfer to judge distance and accuracy of golf balls struck onto said fairway from the teeing area, said method comprising the steps of: marking distance indicating means on the fairway in the form of a first set of lines that are spaced from the teeing area and are spaced apart, with each line being a substantially constant distance from the teeing area; and marking accuracy indicating means on the fairway in tho form of a second set of lines that extend outwardly from the teeing area and are substantially normal to the teeing area.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said lines in the first set of lines are spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the typical difference between lengths of stroke of adjacent clubs.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said lines in the first set of lines are spaced apart by a distance of approximately 10 meters.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said lines in the second set of lines are spaced apart by the width of a typical fairway on a golf course.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises the step of marking obstacle-indicating means on the fairway.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the obstacle-indicating means take the form of a first set of marks that are painted onto the fairway.
 7. The method of claim
 6. wherein the first set of marks represent the location of sand bunkers, bodies of water and rough terrain.
 8. The method of claim
 6. wherein said first set of marks is colour-coded according to the type of obstacle represented,
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises the step of marking target-indicating means on the fairway.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the target indicating means take the form of a second set of marks that are painted onto the fairway
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the second sot of marks indicates the location of greens.
 12. In a fairway having a teeing area associated therewith, an improved set of markings on said fairway to enable a golfer to judge distance and accuracy of golf balls struck onto said fairway from said teeing area, comprising: distance indicating means in the form of. a first set of lines that are spaced from the teeing area and are spaced apart, with each line being a substantially constant distance from the teeing area: accuracy indicating means in the form of a second sot of lines that extend outwardly from the teeing area and are substantially normal to the teeing area.
 13. The markings of claim 12, wherein said lines in the first set of lines are spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the typical difference between lengths of stroke of adjacent clubs.
 14. The markings of claim 12, wherein said lines in the first set of lines are spaced apart by a distance of approximately 10 meters.
 15. The markings of claim 12, wherein the lines in the second set of lines are spaced apart by the width of a typical fairway on a golf course.
 16. The markings of claim 12, further comprising obstacle-indicating means.
 17. The markings of claim 16, wherein the obstacle-indicating means comprise a first set of marks that are painted onto the fairway.
 18. The markings of claim 17, wherein the first set of marks represent the location of and bunkers, bodies of water and rough terrain.
 19. The markings of claim 17, wherein said first set of marks is colour-coded according to the type of obstacle represented.
 20. The markings of claim 12, wherein said markings further comprise target-indicating means.
 21. The markings of claim
 20. wherein the target indicating means take the form of a second set of marks that are painted onto the fairway.
 22. The markings of claim 20, the second set of marks indicates the location of greens.
 23. A method for marking a fairway, having a teeing area associated therewith, to enable a golfer to judge distance and accuracy of golf balls struck onto said fairway from the teeing area, comprising the step of marking distance indicating means on the fairway in the form of a first set of lines that are spaced from the teeing area and are spaced apart with each line being a substantially constant distance from the teeing area.
 24. A method for marking a fairway, having a teeing area associated therewith, to enable a goiter to judge distance and accuracy of golf balls struck onto said fairway from the teeing area, comprising the step of marking accuracy indicating means on the fairway in the form of a second set of lines that extend outwardly from the teeing area and are substantially normal to the teeing area.
 25. A method for marking a fairway, having a teeing area associated therewith, to enable a golfer to judge distance and accuracy of golf balls struck onto said fairway from the teeing area, comprising the step of marking obstacle-indicating means on the fairway.
 26. A method for marking a fairway, having a teeing area associated therewith, to enable a golfer to judge distance and accuracy of golf balls stuck onto said fairway from the teeing area, comprising the step of marking target-indicating means on the fairway. 